Strip stock feeding and gauging



Nov. 5, 1-935. M. E. WIDELL Q 5 v STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUG'ING Filed March 27, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR W BY [2 ATTORNE 5 Nov. 5, 1935. wlDELL Q 2,019,518

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 27, 1954 a Sheets-Shet 2.

' INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Nov.'-5, 1935. M. E. WIIVDELL 2,019,518

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 2'7, 1934' 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 131? A 55445 TTORNE'Y5 M. E. WID ELL STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 27, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Nov. 5, 1935. 4 M; E, WIDELL 2,019,518

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 27, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR No .5,1935. EMDE L 2,019,518

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGI NG Filed March 27, 1934- 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 m /1 A I R Q 1 3 Q a (@l \o Q E w Q I a H I Q I w? I E W Q N N ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1935. v M. E. WIDELL 2,019,518

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 27, 1934- 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Nov. 5, 1935. M. E. WIDELL 2,

STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Filed March 27, 1954 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 mug I 292- INVENTOR w 4 BY 25 &x x \m xxw moRilys Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES STRIP STOCK FEEDING AND GAUGING Magnus E. Widell, Cincinnati, Ohio. minor to American Can Company, New corporation of New Jersey Application March 27, 1934, Serial No. 117,014

- 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding and blanking strip stock or the like and has particular reference to the control of the stock so that it is at all times in proper position for the blanking operation.

An object of the present invention is the provision of strip handling devices for a blanking press or,..the like which evenly withdraw strip material from a reel, which feed the'strip to the press in accordance with its blanking-requirements and which maintain an amount of strip material within limits between the reel and the press so that unevenness of feeding is avoided and high speed operation is effected.

Another object of the invention is the provision of variable speed withdrawing devices for strip stock which are regulated in accordance with the requirements of a press or other machines using this stock.

A further object of the invention is the provision of gauging elements operated in connection with strip handling devices for a press by means of which the strip stock is accurately lodated for a press operation after the proper amount of strip stock is presented.

' Yet another object of the invention is the provision of t ensioning elements in strip handling devices for a press which insure an even movement of the strip from its supply reel to the press thereby avoiding sudden fluctuations and unnecessary strains, buckling or kinking ofthe strip while in the apparatus.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a press provided with strip feed and control units embody ing the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the strip stock reel and its support;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation ofthe stock withdrawing devices and speed control as viewed from the discharge side, parts being broken away to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view'of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same as viewed from a position indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 3; '1

Fig. 6 is an enlarged end elevation of the press as seen from the feed-in side;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional detail taken substantially along the line l'| in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top and front view of .the press showing intermittent feed units and gauging devices for the strip stock;

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional views of the press .press feeding unit C, a strip gauging unit D and York, N. Y., a

the lines 9-9 and Ill-l0 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the press notching device taken substantially along the line II-ll in Fig. 10;'and

on anfenlarged scale taken substantially along Figs. 12 and 13 are; enlarged sectional details of the press gauging device taken substantially along the line I 2-l2 in Fig. 10 and showing different steps in the gauging operation.

} In the drawings which disclose a preferred em- 10 bodiment of the present invention, the several units shown are'indicated generally as a. spool or reel strip support A, a withdrawing unit B, a

a press E. 15

The reel support A is adapted to hold a spool of strip stock in asuitable position for easy withdrawal of the strip by the unit B which is continuously operated but at varying speed in accordance with the amount of strip stock required in the press. The feeding unit C is preferably intermittent in its action and feeds the work, i.e., the strip material, to-the press E between the blanking or other working parts of the press. The gauging unit D acts upon the strip stock just before the working portion of each press stroke and accurately positions the stock each time for the blanking or other operation. v I

The strip stock, designated by the letter S, passes through both of the units B and C. A loop L is maintained in the stock between the two units to allow for any variation in the intermittent demand of the unit 0 or the continuous withdrawing action of the unit B. This loop L also allows for the unit B toregulate and control the speed of withdrawal from the spool on the support A in a manner to be described later.

"The reel support unit A (see Figs. 1 and 2) besides holding or supporting .a spool or reel 2| of strip stock S for withdrawal by the unit B also contains means for preventing an unrestrained rotation of the reel as the stock is unwound therefrom thus maintaining the proper tension on the stock. This unit comprises a drum 22 formed with an extended flange 21 on which the spool of stock rests when it is placed over the drum.

The drum 22 rotates on anaxis inclined from the vertical such inclination being substantially that of the work feed table of the press which may be inclined in the usual manner to permit discharge of the work after blanking. The drum 22- is secured to a disc 28 which is formed with a centering boss 29 on Which the flange 21 is centered.,

The disc 28 is secured to the upper end of an inclined shaft 32 which is journaled in a bearing 34 the shaft being formed. with an enlarged shoulder 35 which rests on the bearing. Bearing 34 is a part of a supporting base 36 which may rest on the floor or otherwise as desired. v

The braking mechanism for preventing unrestrained rotation of the drum 22 andthe reel or spool 2| carried thereby consists of a lever 4| (Fig. 2) pivotally mounted at its center on a pin 42 carried in the base 36. The lever 4| carries a brake shoe 43 at its up er end which bears on the inner surface of a depending cylindrical flange 44 of the disc 28. A stud 46 fixed in the base 36 passes loosely through a hole in the lower end of the lever, where a spring 41 is mounted.

This spring is located on the stud and is adjustably held against the lever by a nut 48 and washer 49. The spring 4'! tends to move the lever 4| counterclockwise (as viewed in-Fig. 2) and this forces the brake shoe 43 against the flange 44 at a desired braking pressure, thereby restraining any free or uncontrolled rotation of the reel 2|.

The withdrawing unit B (see Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5) comprises a pair of inclined rotating rollers. These co-act upon the strip S, which passes between them,.as indicated in Fig. 4, to progressively pull the strip from its spool. One roller which may be termed the driving roller rotates on a fixed axis. It is driven by a motor, the speed of which is governed by a regulating device that controls the motor speed in accordance with the amount of excess stock in the loop L.

The other roller may be termed a pressure A. This base may be mounted on a sub-base 52 which also supports the press E. A bearing bracket 53 is securely bolted to the base 5| and carries a substantial portion of the moving parts of the unit.

The bracket 53 is provided with an upper hearing 55 (Fig. 3) and a lower bearing 56 in which an inclined drive shaft 51 is journaled. The driving roller (designated by the numeral 58) is secured to the shaft 51 between the bearings 55, 56.

It is formed with a flange 59 at its lower end which prevents the stock S from creeping oi the roller due to the inclination of the unit. The shaft and roller are driven in a manner which will presently be described.

The pressure roller (designated by the numeral 6|) which co-acts with the driving roller 58 is mounted in the following manner. A bearing bracket 62 (Figs. 4 and 5) is bolted to the base 5| and carries a cage 63 which is pivotally connected to the bracket by a shaft 64. Shaft 64 is carried in bracket bearings 65. A cage hub 66 is mounted on the shaft 64 and is slotted at both top and bottom to accommodate the bearings 65.

An upper cage arm II and a lower cage arm I2 extend radially from the hub 66 and provide a mounting for the roller. One arm is provided with an upper bearing 13, the other with a lower bearing I4. A roller shaft I5 passes through these'be'arings and carries the pressure roller 6| which is secured to it between the cage bearings.

Spring pressure for holding the rollers in withdrawing engagement with the strip is applied to the cage 63 by springs 8| (Figs. 3 and 4) located adjacent the ends of the pressure roller which are mounted on rods 82 fixed in the stationary bracket 53. These rods pass through holes 83 in the cage arms 'I I, I2 and terminate in threaded mounted. This construction provides pressure adjusting for the springs 8| which are held between the washers 85 and the'arms of the cage 63.

A manual separation of the driving and pressure rollers is provided and this feature is used for adjustments or exchanges of the stock or mechanism. Such manual separation is made without disturbing the pressure adjustment of the springs 8|. An arm 9| (Figs. 4 and 5) extends radially irom the middle of the cage hub 66 and terminates in a boss 92 on which one end of a link 93 is pivotally mounted. The other end of the link is pivotally and eccentrically connected to a head 94 of a rock shaft 95.

The rock shaft 95 is journaled in bearings, 96 formed in the bracket 62 and carries a handle 91 secured to it adjacent the upper bearing 96. Manual actuation of the handle through about from'the position as shown in Fig. 4 causes movement of the rock shaft head 94. By virtue of its eccentric connection to the head, the link 93 is drawn back and this draws with it the arm small arc suflicient to separate the pressure roller 6| from the stock S and from the driving roller 58.

Driving means for the withdrawing unit is preferably provided by a variable speed motor IOI (Fig. 3) which drives the withdrawing rollers 58, 6| through suitable gearing (see also Fig. 4). The motor I0I is bolted to the base 5| and carries a sprocket I02 keyed to its shaft I03. A

chain I04 operates over. the sprocket I02 and over a sprocket I05 which is keyed to a worm shaft I06. Rotary motion from the motor is thus transmitted to a worm I01 secured to the shaft I06. The worm engages a worm wheel I08 fixed on the drive roller shaft 51 and thereby rotates the driving roller 58. 7

When the rollers 58, 6| withdraw the stock S from the unit A, they rotate in opposite direc tions, and at equal surface speeds. To obtain this result, a gear III, secured, to thelfishaft 51 adjacent the bearing 66, meshes with a 'gear II2 secured to the shaft I5.

The speed of the motor IOI which governs the speed of stock withdrawal is under the control of a loop L of the stock between the units B and C.

This loop indicates by its depth, normal shape the stock S passes and which are shifted in position by a change in shape of the loop. Their movement is transferred to a rheostat II6 which controls the motor speed and which is thus a part of the control device. A control bracket III is bolted to the extremities of the cage arms 1 I, I2 and provides a support for the detector rods I I5.

A pair of detector arms III! are pinned to the The detects. rods I I8 are loosely mounted in these blocks and the latter act in some degree as side guides for the stock S as it passes between the rods.

The rheostat us (Figs. 3 and 4) is secured Movement of the rheostat shaft I28 changes the setting of the rheostat H8 in the usual manner. The rheostat governs the speed of the motor I8I which rotates the withdrawing rollers 58-, 8|. In this manner the rheostat II8 cooperates with the detector rods H8 and the loop L to govern the speed of withdrawal of the stock S.

The press feeding unit C and the notching and gauging unit D are mounted on the press E (Fig. 8). They are directly actuated by moving elements of the press and so act in synchronism with its movements.

The press Eas exemplified in Figs. 1, 6 and 8 maybe and is herein shown as a triple blanking inclined press. A main arch frame I88 of the press may be mounted upon rear support columns I8I and front base members I82 carried by the sub-base 52. The main frame I88 comprises a frame table I88 extending up into two uprights or legs I84, I85. Spaced angle irons I88 (Figs. 1, 6 and 10) act as guide rails for the strip stock 8 as it passes into the press these rails being supported indirectly on the press frame and extending laterally from the press leg I84.

Three lower die members I81 (see Figs. 8 and 10) are bolted to an inclined bolster plate I88 which is secured to the frame table I88 and three cooperating punches or upper die members I88 are secured to an inclined punch plate I 8|. The punch plate is in turn secured to a press slide I82. which is slidably mounted in the arch frame legs I84, I85. ing die members provide the active elements for the blanking or other press operations.

The slide I82 is actuated in the usual man'- ner as by means of a pitman connecting with ,a crank element formed on a press crankshaft I83 as best illustrated in Fig. 8. This crankshaft is mounted in bearings formed in the arch frame I88 and receives its motion from a belt driven pulley and flywheel I84 secured on theshaft.

The strip feeding unit 0 comprises two pairs of intermittently driven rollers which engage the stock or strip S under pressure and feed it across the lower dies I81 between the strokes of thepress. Such strip feeding is stopped after each advance of the strip and a braking action comes into play to prevent overfeed of the rollers. The pressure of the rollers on the stock is then relieved leaving the stock free to be acted on by the gauging unit D as will be described later.

Each'pair of feeding rollers may be said to constitute elements of one of two sections of the strip feeding unit C. A first or feed-in section includes inclined parallel rollers I85, I88 (Fig. 6) and this section is located on the left These cooperatas viewed in Fig. 8. This pair of rollers feeds the strip-stock S to the press.

The second or discharge section includes inclined parallel rollers I81, I88 (Fig. '8) and is located on the right side as viewed in that figure. Rollers I81, I88 discharge the scrap strip stock from the press after the press-formed'or blanked articles have been removed. The rollers I88, I88 and the first section of the feed-in unit C will now be described.

The roller I85 (Fig. 6) is mounted on'and secured to an inclined shaft I88 which is journaled in three spaced bearing blocks or brackets 288, 28I, 282 mounted on a feed-in bracket 283 (see also Fig. 8) which is bolted on one side of the frame table I88. The roller I88 (Figs. 6, 8 and 10) is a pressure roller and is mounted on and secured toan inclined shaft 284 which is Journaled in bearings 285 formed in a hinged cage 288.

20 Cage 288 is pivotally associated with the two bearing blocks 28I, 282 by a supporting rock shaft 281. A cage hub 288 is mounted on the shaft and is slotted at both top and bottom to accommodate the bearing blocks, this construction being similar to the pressure roller 8| and its cage mounting.

Pressure for the feeding engagement of the I held under proper compression by washers 2H and nuts M2 the latter being threadedly engaged on the free ends of. the rods.

Separation of the rollers after a strip has been positioned in the press is made 'at the time the press slide I82 moves down to perform the blanking or other operation and is brought about by rocking of the cage 288 and by lifting of thepressure roller I88 against the yieldingaction of the springs 288. It is done in the following manner:

The hub 288 (Fgs. 6 and 10) of the cage 288 is extended'laterally info an arm 2I3 the free end ofwhich carries'a stud 2I4 on which a roller 2I5 (see also Fig- 8) is rotatably mounted. A cam block 2I8 is carried on a horizontal bar 2" secured to the press slide I82 and when the latter moves down this cam block engages the roller 2I5 and pushes it out, at the same time rocking the cage 288 on its shaft mounting 281. This moves the pressure roller I88 away from the feedin roller I85 thus releasing the interposed strip stock S so that gauging (as by the gauging unit D)- will take place before the punches I88 reach the strip.

The rollers I85, I88 are rotated in unison and for this purpose are interconnected by gearing,

.which remains in driving connection even when an inclined shaft 221 which is at right angles to the or nk shaft.

Shaf 221 is journaled In bearings 228, 229 formed ina bracket 239 bolted on-the outside and adjacent to the top of the arch frame leg I84. A crank disc 23I is secured to one end of the shaft 221 and carries a headed stud 232 on which the upper end of a connecting rod 233 is loosely mounted. The opposite end of the rod 233 loosely engages a pin 234 projecting out from one face of a pawl and ratchet housing 235.

The housing 235 is loosely mounted on the feedin roller shaft I 99 outside of the bearing 299. This'housing encloses a ratchet wheel 236 (Fig. 7) which is keyed to the shaft and the housing carries a spring pressed dog or pawl 231 which is mounted in a slide seat formed in a periphery of the housing. A spring 238 is usedto back up the pawl and this keeps its inner bevel face against the teeth of theratchet wheel.

As the housing 235 is oscillated back and forth relative to the center of the shaft I99, ,the latter is advanced in one direction with one part of the oscillation. On the return the pawl 231 slides past the teeth of the ratchet wheel 236 thus advancing the shaft in a step by step movement.

Movement of the shaft takes place as the connecting rod 233 moves up andwith the rollers I95, I96 engaged and feeding the strip S.

Provision is made for abruptly stopping the rotation of the rollers, I95, I96 and the feeding action on the strip stock therebetween so that there will not be an overthrow or uncontrolled movement. This is brought aboutby a braking device that is cam actuated from the shaft 221 and that operates directly on the feed-in roller. shaft I99.

This braking device comprises a brake drum 239 (Figs. 6 and 8) which is secured to the end of the shaft I99 opposite the pawl and ratchet housing 235 and is adjacent and outside of the bearing 292. Brake-shoes 249, 24I are pivotally connected together beneath the drum 239 and are held in a pair of parallel links 242 which have their ends connected to the bracket 293.

The free ends of the brake shoes are located on opposite sides of a rectangular end or head 243 of a pivot pin 244 (see also Fig. 10) which is mounted for oscillation in a bearing 245 formed in a bracket 246 bolted to the face of the arch frame leg I84. These free ends are tied together by a bolt 241 which extends loosely through an opening formed in one of the shoe ends this being in the shoe 2 and is threaded in the shoe 249. This bolt is also loose in the rectangular head 243 of the pin 244 and passes through the head. A

lock nut 248 is threadedly secured to the end of the bolt.

A spring 249 is interposed between the end of the shoe 24I and the head of the bolt and keeps the ends of the brake shoes in engagement with the opposite faces of the rectangular head 243 of the pin. When these engaged faces of' the head are straight with the faces of the ends of the brake shoes, as illustrated in Fig. 10, the

This shifting of the pivot pin '2 is brought about by movement of an arm 25I. secured to the 'pin intermediate its head and the bearing 245.

The outer end ofthis arm is connected by a connecting rod 252 to the end of an arm 253 which 5 is pivotally mounted on a pin 254 carried in a bracket 255 bolted to the face of the frame leg I84.

The arm 253 is located adjacent the end of the shaft 221 and carries a cam roller 256 which l0 operates within a groove 251 of a. face cam 253 and this cam is secured to the end of the shaft 221. The cam groove is of such a shape as to cause raising and lowering of the arm 253 and through the described connections with the other 15 arm 25I, the pivot pin 244 is oscillated to further spread the brake shoes. this being against the action of the spring 249. In point of time the braking device is out of operation when the rollers are rotating and when they are advancing the 29 strip 8. The braking action on the other hand takes place immediately following such an advance movement of the strip stock by the rollers. Before describing'the second section of the strip feed-in unit C and the operation of the discharge rollers I91, I98 attention will be directed to the gauging device D and to the blanking or other die operations of the press.

The notching and gauging unit D may be divided into punch elements and die elements. 39

The punch elements are mounted on and move up and down with the punch plate I9I. The die 7 elements are stationary and are mounted on the die or bolster plate I88. The punch elements comprise a notching punch 25I (Figs. 8 and 11) 35 and a gauging. and locating finger 252 (see also Figs. 12 and 13) pivotally mounted on a block 263 which is secured to the punch plate I 9|. Both notching punch and gauging finger are of similar cross section for a purpose that will be made 40 evident as the description proceeds.

The die elements comprise 'a notching die 265 and a gauging die 266 (Figs. 8 and 10) and both dies are mounted in a die block 268 which is screwed to the bolster plate I88.

The strip S when released for gauging, as has already been described, is in an approximately correct blanking position relative to the press dies, the guide bars I8Ii on the side of the press preventing any wide misplacement of the strip. 50 In addition to this, one-edge of the strip in'its travel over the presstable I83 is guided in "a groove 269 (Figs. 19 and 11) formed in one edge of a guide bar 219.

The guide bar 219 is mounted on a pair of 55 spaced blocks 21I which are bolted to the bolster plate I88. Accurate positioning of the bar 219 relative to the blocks 21I is made by two setscrews 212 one of which is threadedly engaged in an upstanding lug of its associated block 21I and 60 its inner end abuts the rear wall of the guide bar.

A loclmut 213 threadedly secured on the setscrew holds it in its adjusted position.

When the ends of the bar 219 have been properly positioned by the setscrews 212 the bar is 5 locked in fixed position on the blocks 21I by bolts 214. There are two of these bolts, one for each block 21I and each bolt extends through a slot 215, formed in the block, and threadedly engages into the guide bar from below. When tightened 70 these bolts hold the associated ends of the bar in fixed position.

When the press slide is lowered this being. immediately after the feed rollers I95, I96 of the feeding unit C have been separated to free the 75 locating and confining position being illustrated in Fig. 11. 3

Continued downward movement of the notching punch 26l thereupon brings the punch into engagement with the strip. and the punchthen passes through the strip as it cooperates with the notching die 265. This action cuts out a fragment of the strip and constitutes the notching operation. The shape of the notch may be any desired form, a tapered or V-shape notch 280 (Fig. 10) being disclosed inthe drawings. The inclined sides of such a notch assists in the gauging action now to be described.

The distance between the center of the notching die 265 and the center of the gauging die 266 is equal to the distance of the step advance of the strip S as effected by the feeding device C. Accordingly a notch 280 out in the edge of the strip S at the die 265 at .one stroke of the press is brought into approximate position over the gauging die 266 for the next stroke of the press.

The gauging finger 262 at the latter position therefore passes into the newly cut notch 280 and properly centers the strip S relative to the blanking die, this action at the same time centering the strip for the next notching operation;

It will be understood that when a strip S is first introduced into the press the notch is cut in the strip before its forward end has reached the gauging device. Such a first cut therefore is a preparation for the actual notching, gauging and blanking of the strip which follows with the second and succeeding strokes of. the press.

The gauging finger 262 (Figs. 8, 12 and i3) is pivotally mounted on a horizontal pin 285 carried in the block 263. This finger is directly above the gauging die 266 and in the upper position of the slide I92 is held in a tilted position as shown in Fig. 12. This position'is brought about by the action of a spring 286 which is mounted at one end on a pin 281 carried in the gauging finger and at the opposite end on a post 288 extending down from the block 263'. The upper face of the gauging finger is inclined at 289 and when tilted under the action of the spring 286 this inclined face engages against an inclined stop wall 29I formed in the block-263.

As the press slide moves down the finger 262' enters thegauging die 266. An inclined wall 292v is formed on the lower end of the finger and this gauges against a similar inclined face 293 out in the wall of the opening of the notching die 266. When the surfaces 292, 293 first engage the inner side of the gauging finger 262 is in front of the edge of the strip S.

Continued downward movement of the press slide with the gauging fingercarries the latter further into the opening of the die 266- and slides the wall 292 over the inclined face 293 of the die. This action shifts the finger from its tilted position and brings it into a'vertical posi; tion as the spring 286 yields. This shifting of the finger forces the strip S toward the right (Figs. 12 and 13) so that its opposite edge is fully seated against the wall of the groove 269 of the guide bar 210.

It will be understood that this finger 262 upon .eration of the discharge rollers.

engaging the forward edge' of the strip 8 passes into the notch 280 of the strip andas a finger comes into vertical position and moves down into the die 266 the finger notonly gaugesthe strip laterally but also longitudinally. The cross sec- 5- tion of the finger 262.,being the same in shape as the notch '280 the inclined tapered walls of the finger fit closely within those 'of the tapered notch. Figure 13 illustrates the lowermost position of the gauging finger 262 and shows the in strip S fully held in its gauged position. v

The lower end of the finger 262 (Fig. 8) 'is slightly below the lower end of the notching punch 26I and both of these members extend -below the lower face of the blank punches I89. 18 Therefore the effect of a single downward stroke ,of the press slide I92 brings about the three steps of operation on the stock S in the following sequence: first, a gauging of the strip stock.

then a notching of the same and finally the 20 blanking, forming or other operation of the punches I89 and dies I81.

After the blanking operation the principal part. of the strip S has been removed and there is then left only a skeleton strip designated by the 25.

letter K (Fig. 10): This skeleton K passes into and is discharged by the discharge rollers I91, I98 of the second section of thestrip feeding unit C. Attention will now be given to this op- 30 'The roller I91 is mounted on an inclined drive shaft 300 (Figs. 8 and 9) which is journaled in bearings 301 carried in brackets 302 mounted on and secured to'a discharge bracket 303. Bracket 303 is bolted on the side of the frame table I83 85 and thus supports all of the second section of the feeding unit'C. The 'roller I98 is a pressure roller andis mounted on and secured to an inclined shaft 304 which is journaled in bearings 305 formed in a a0 hinged cage 306. The rollers I91, I98 of the discharge unit and their mountings as well as manner of operation are substantially the same as that of the feeding rollers I95, I96.

-The cage 306 is pivotally associated with two 45 bearings 301 formed by upward spaced projections formed in the brackets 302, this association being made by a supporting rock shaft 308. A cage hub 309 is mounted on the shaft and is slotted at both top and bottom to accommodate 50 the bearings 301.

Pressure for the feeding engagement of the rollers I91, I98 against the strip stock S is applied to the hinged cage 306 and through it to the pressure roller I98. This is a yielding pressure effectedby springs 3 (Fig. 8) which are mounted on rods 3I2 (see also Fig. 9) extending out from and carried by the brackets 302. These rods pass loosely through openings in the arm of the-cage 306. The springs 3 are adjustably held under proper compression by washers 3I3 and nuts 3 I4, the latter being threadedly engaged on the free ends of the rods.

The rollers I91, I98 like the rollers I95, I96 are periodically separated so that the skeleton end K of the strip S is released each time the press slide begins its downward movement. Like the construction and operation -of the first section of the feeding unit this separation is brought about by a rocking of the cage 306 and by a lifting of the pressure roller I 98 against the yielding action of the springs 3i I. It is done in the following manner.

The hub ace of the case at is extended laterally into an arm 3| 5, the free end of. which 76 carries a stud 3I5 on which a roller 3" is rotatably mounted. A cam block 3l3 is carried on a horizontal bar 3I 9 secured .to the press slide I92 directly opposite the bar 2'I'I.' When the press slide I92 moves down this cam block engages the roller 3" and pushes it out, at the same time rocking-the cage 335 on its shaft mounting 303. This moves the pressure, roller I98 away from the roller I95 and releases the skeleton end K of the strip.

The rollers I91, I98 are rotated in unison and for this purpose are interconnected by gearing which remains in driving connection even when the pressure roller I 93 is moved away from the roller I91 as just described. Such a gearing comprises a drive gear 32T secured to the shaft 399 which meshes with adriven gear 322 secured to the shaft 394.

The rotation of the rollers I91, I93 is also intermittent and is synchronized with the rotational. the rollers I 95, I 96, a chain and sprocket connection joining the two parts of the feeding unit C'for this purpose. The shaft I99 (Figs. 6, 8 and 9) of the first section roller I95 carries a sprocket 323 over which operates a chain 324. This chain also passes over a sprocket 325 secured to' the shaft 399 and in this way the rotation of the rollers I91, I93 is brought about in the same time interval as the rollers I95, I96.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form,

construction and-arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described bein merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a strip stock feeding mechanism, the combination of a' press for working on the stock, a reel for holding a supply of the stock, means for withdrawing stock from said reel, means for feeding said withdrawn stock to said press, and means for controlling the speed of withdrawal in accordance with the amount of stock between said with;- drawing and feeding means.

2. In a strip stock feeding mechanism, the combination of a press for working on the stock, a reel for holding a supply of the stock, means for continuously withdrawing stock from said reel, means for intermittently feeding said withdrawn stock to saidpress, and means for controlling the speed of withdrawal in accordance with the amount of stock between said reel and said press.

3. In a strip feeding mechanism, the combination of a press for working on the stock, a reel for holding a'supply of the stock, a withdrawing unit for withdrawing stock from said reel, means for feeding said withdrawn stock from said unit and into said press, means associated with said withdrawing unit for maintaining an excess of stock in loop form between said withdrawing unit and said press, and means for operating said withdrawing unit in accordance with the amount of stock in said loop.

4. In a strip feeding mechanism, the combination of a press for working on thestock, a reel for holding a supply of the stock, a withdrawing unit feeding said withdrawn stock from said unit and into said press. means associated with'said withdrawing unit for maintaining an excess of stock in loop form between said withdrawing unit and said press, and means operated by a change in 5 reel holder for maintaining a substantially uniform tension on said stock as it is withdrawn, and 15 means operating through said stock withdrawing means and varying with the supply of withdrawn stock not yet operated on by said operating means for varying the speed of withdrawal of the stock.

6. In a strip stock feeding mechanism, the com- 20 bination of a press for working on the stock, a reel for holding a supply of the stock, rotating withdrawing rollers for withdrawing the stock from said reel, rotating feeding rollers for feeding said stock into said press, and means for regulating 25 the speed of rotation of said withdrawing rollers in accordance with the amount of stock between said withdrawing and feeding rollers.

7. In a strip stock'feeding mechanism, the combination of a press for working on the stock, a reel 30 for holding a supply of the stock, rotating withdrawing rollers by which said stock is continuously withdrawn from said reel, an electric motor for operating said rollers, rotating feeding rollers by whichsaid stock is fed to said press, a detector 35 associated with saidwithdrawing rollers and actuated by variation in the amount of stock between said withdrawing and feeding rollers, and an electric control associated with said motor and actuated by said detector for governing the rotation 40 of said withdrawing-rollers.

- 8. In a strip stock feeding, notching and gauging mechanism, a press for working on said stock, means for feeding said stock to said press, means forintermittently dissociating said feeding means 45 from said stock, notching means associated with the die elements of said press for preparing the stock for gauging, and gauging means operating on said prepared stock for positioning it relative to said die elements, said notching and gauging 50 means operating while said feeding means is dissociated from said stock.

9. In a strip stock feeding, notching and gauging mechanism, the combination of a press for working on stock, a reel for holding the stock, devices for continuously withdrawing the stock at variable speeds, a braking unit applied to said reel for maintaining the stock under tension during withdrawal, feeding elements for feeding the withdrawn stock to said press, means. for controlling 60 said withdrawing devices in accordance with the amount of stock between said withdrawing devices and said feeding elements, notching and gauging means for operating on the stock, said notching means producing successive wedge 05 shaped notches in the stock and said gauging means successively engaging the notches to accurately locate the stock both laterally and longitudinally in said press.

I MAGNUS' E. WIDELL. 7 

